US warns of Russia's 'significant escalation' in Ukraine

Pro-Russian gunmen guard parade dozens of captured Ukrainian soldiers during a march in mockery of the country's Independence Day celebrations in the main separatist stronghold Donetsk on August 24, 2014 (AFP Photo/Alexandr Osinskiy)

Washington (AFP) - The White House said that Russia's growing military presence in Ukraine marked a "significant escalation" of the conflict.

Her comments came after Kiev's security service said its army in the war-torn east had captured 10 Russian paratroopers on Ukrainian soil, ramping up tensions on the eve of crunch talks on the conflict.

And on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is due to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin for the first time in months alongside top EU officials in Minsk.

Rice pointed to Russian "military incursions" into Ukraine, listing artillery, air defense systems, dozens of tanks and military personnel.

"Russia has no right to send vehicles or cargo into Ukraine without Govt of Ukraine's permission," she said.